Golfer bitten by black widow spider at LPGA qualifer, keeps playing

It’s hard enough being a rookie golfer trying to make it big on the pro circuit — but Daniela Holmqvist had much bigger things to worry about on Tuesday at an Australian Open pre-qualifier.

The 24-year-old from Sweden was playing on the Yarralumla course, when she suddenly felt a sharp pain, according to Golf Digest. When Holmqvist looked down, she saw what looked to be a black widow spider on her ankle. But wait, it gets better.

“When I told the local caddies in my group what had happened, they got very upset and said it was a black widow, and immediately started looking for their phones to call the medics,” she told Svensk Golf, translated by Golf Digest.

Holmqvist didn’t wait for medical help. That would be letting the spider win. As the pain intensified, she found a golf tee in her pocket, cut around the bite mark, and drained the venom herself.

“It wasn’t the prettiest thing I’ve ever done, but I had to get as much of it out of me as possible,” she said, adding. “It still hurts. I don’t recommend getting bitten by a black widow.”

Holmqvist shot a 74 but did not qualify, despite being shadowed around the course by a medic. She should probably petition the LPGA to create a special “black widow exemption” for future golfers. At least in places where there are gigantic spiders.